Quinn signs law allowing Chicago-area bus service to drive on I-55 shoulder

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By The Associated Press

The State Journal-Register

By The Associated Press

Posted Aug. 11, 2014 at 1:39 PM

By The Associated Press
Posted Aug. 11, 2014 at 1:39 PM

CHICAGO -- Legislation that allows a suburban Chicago bus agency's vehicles to ride on the shoulders of a major roadway is now law.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed a plan on Monday that makes Pace's "Bus on Shoulders" pilot program permanent. Pace bus drivers on two routes that travel on Interstate 55 are able to use shoulders as a passing lane when traffic is moving slower than 35 mph. They're not allowed to travel more than 15 mph over the top speed of vehicles in the expressway lanes.

The idea is to speed up trips.

The pilot program started in 2011. Pace bus drivers were able to use the newly widened shoulders on the Stevenson Expressway to get around rush hour traffic jams. State officials say on-time performance has greatly improved since then.